About

Background The Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) and Aiken County are developing both a regional and an Aiken County bicycle and pedestrian plan focused on improving bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in the area. The Plan will integrate bikeway and walkway improvements into the regional planning process, as well as increase travel options for cyclists and pedestrians, identify gaps in the network, improve connectivity of communities and activity centers, create safe routes to transit, and develop a framework for complete streets policies and standards. The Plan will offer recommendations for infrastructure improvements and education/ encouragement programs and policies. The Plans will serve as an update to the 2003 ARTS Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Study Area The ARTS area includes all of Augusta-Richmond County and portions of Columbia County in Georgia and parts of Aiken and Edgefield Counties in South Carolina. The ARTS area includes the Georgia cities of Augusta, Grovetown, Hephzibah, and Blythe; and South Carolina cities of Aiken, North Augusta, and Burnettown. In addition to the regional bicycle and pedestrian plan development, the process will include development of a plan focused specifically on walking and biking in Aiken County.

Study Work Scope and ScheduleThe ARTS/Aiken County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan began in the summer of 2011 and will conclude in the spring of 2012. Plan elements include: